Improvement in processes of seasoning wood



time

EZ A DAVEE, on MARSHALL, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES 0F SEASQNING WOOD.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,446, dated May 30,1871.

. I, EZRA. DAVEE, of Marshall, in the county of Clark and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful'Process for Seasoning Timber, of which the following is a specification:

Imam and Objects of the Invention.

it My improvement consists in covering or enveloping the timber in an air-tight covering of earth, and subsequently applying heat to the stack of timber to be heated, placing almost any desired amount in one body, with sufficient interstices to permit thepassage of the vapors, after which I cover the whole body with earth, making the coveringair-tight. The earth thus prepared may have athickness of fifteen inches, more or less. A receptacle for the timber may be conveniently prepared by excavation. Around the sides and one end of the excavation a fiue is prepared, about a foot wide, more. or less, extending to a depth equal to that of the excavation which is to receive the timber. A central flue is formed in the bottom of w the said excavation, running its entire length, fifteen inches square, more or less, and

covered over wi'thearth. This central flue communicates with the transversepart or end of the flue first mentioned, which, in turn, com municates with those exten'din g along the sides of the excavation. The receptacle thus, prepared is filled with timber to the level of the ground, (or the stack may be extended upward to any convenient height above the surface of the ground, if preferred,) and closely covered with "an envelope of earth. i A fire is placed at the mouth of the center flue at the end opposite to that which communicates with the external flue. The gaseous products of combustion will thus be caused to pass through the central flue beneath thetimber, along the end flue, and through theexternal fines on the two sides of the stack, thus traversing the entire length of the stack, after which they may be carried ofi through vertical fines communicating with the ends of the said flues and passing up through the earth. These flues may communicate with pipes extended to a sufficient height to produce a necessary current of air. Any desired heat may thus be produced to season the timber within a short time.

From the above description it will be understood'that the heat is applied to the timber only through the medium of the earth. without any direct contact of heated air or gases. By this means green timber can be seasoned without the slightest injury, all its natural properties being retained. Its strength, toughness, durability, and value for all purposes are thus greatly enhanced. It is also found to be free from all liability to warp, or to shrink or swell, under changes of weather.

The period usually required to treat a large body of timber is from thirty to sixty hours, during eighteen hours of which time an active fire should be kept burning, after which the heat should be confined as much possible. One cord of wood has been found sufficient to thoroughly season ten thousand feet of timber;

and it is manifest that the processca n be carried out with greater economy by the use of coal. In from thirty to sixty days after treatment the timber will be found perfectly seasoned.

Claims.

To the foregoing specification of my imf proved means and process for seasoning timber I have set my hand this 27th day of March, 1871,.

EZRA DAVEE.

Witnesses I M. D. HARE, S. L. WHITEHEAD. 

